A place at Harvard used to be something to brag about; now students fear it is a stigma.
Early applicants who received college acceptance letters last week are considering applying elsewhere, The Post has learned.
Some cite concerns about experiencing anti-Semitism on campus, while others fear that a Harvard degree could hurt job prospects as employers pledge not to hire their graduates due to the university’s handling of anti-Israel protests.
This year, the school reported a 17% drop in early applications, which is a four-year low. And its acceptance rate rose to 8.7% from 7.6% last year.
One factor, according to college admissions consultant Christopher Rim, is that students fear being caught up in the storm over the issue of anti-Semitism on campus.
Protesters at Harvard have demonstrated in favor of Palestine following the October 7 attacks. Harvard University PSC Calls have grown for Harvard President Claudine Gay to resign following congressional testimony about anti-Semitism on campus. fake images
“I think it’s current events that are at play,” Rim told The Post. “They’re getting the worst PR ever right now.”
Thirty Harvard student groups sparked outrage in October by signing a letter saying Israel was “entirely responsible” for the October 7 attacks, while university president Claudine Gay has faced pressure to resigned after testifying before Congress about anti-Semitism on campus and was later forced to apologize. for her disastrous performance.
Rim, founder and CEO of Command Education, says every single one of his clients who applied early to Harvard this year were accepted, but not all of them are satisfied.
“Normally, once you get into Harvard, my team and I are done. “We’re great, it’s a success, congratulations, goodbye,” said Rim.
Pro-Palestinian protesters have demonstrated on the Harvard University campus. AFP via Getty Images
But one client’s family in particular wasn’t celebrating. Instead of accepting Harvard’s offer, the student is now scrambling to submit applications to the remaining Ivy League schools: Stanford, MIT, and Emory.
The student, who is not Jewish, is applying elsewhere out of fear that going to Harvard could hurt his job prospects.
Rim was surprised: “I was like, ‘Why would you do Emory if you’ve already gotten into Harvard?'”
The student cited billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman’s tirade against Harvard over anti-Semitism, as well as dozens of CEOs’ pledge not to hire Harvard students who blamed Israel for the Hamas attack.
Similarly, a boutique law firm halted on-campus hiring at Harvard, and even Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy pledged to never hire a Harvard graduate again.
One of Rim’s clients says Bill Ackman’s tweets about Harvard University inspired him to apply elsewhere. REUTERS Bill Ackman reported that CEOs were seeking the names of Harvard students who signed a letter blaming Israel for the October 7 attacks. @BillAckman/X
“This was the first time this concern came up with a customer,” Rim said. “They told me, ‘I just don’t like that attention at Harvard if it’s going to hurt my son’s chances of getting the right job in the future.’”
But even though the school is losing applicants, Rim says Harvard appears to be viewing the news as a positive.
“Harvard really touted the higher acceptance rate…” he said. “I think they want to distance themselves from their image of being uptight, elitist and selective because of all the bad press they’ve been getting.”
While Harvard loses applicants, other schools are absorbing the excess.
Early college applications skyrocketed 41% this year, compared to the 2019 admissions cycle.
Duke University’s early applications are up 28% this year. AP
Yale recorded its lowest early acceptance rate in more than 20 years. Meanwhile, Rim reports that Duke, in Durham, North Carolina, and Emory, in Atlanta, Georgia, are popular with students looking for alternatives to the Ivy League.
Duke reported 1,000 more applicants than any previous early decision round, a notable 28% increase from last year.
“Second-tier schools are becoming even more viable options, so their acceptance rates will continue to decline,” Rim projected.
Protesters at Harvard have rallied in favor of the Palestinians following the October 7 attacks. Harvard University PSC
Several of Rim’s own clients changed their first applications in the wake of anti-Semitism on campus.
One who decided not to apply early to Cornell after a student made violent threats against his Jewish classmates just received an admissions offer from Stanford, where he applied early instead.
Another client submitted their binding early decision request to Cornell before the October 7 attacks occurred. He has just received a binding acceptance, but he has already contacted Rim to discuss transfer options for next year.
Christopher Rim says many of his clients have changed their initial application plans because of anti-Semitism on campus.
“It’s a binding contract, so the student is stuck,” Rim explained. “How was he supposed to know all this would happen?”
But some other students wish they had applied to Harvard sooner, now that the school appears to be becoming less selective.
Rim says several customers have expressed regret for not taking advantage of the 17% drop.
That’s why he anticipates that Harvard’s initial application numbers will likely rebound, especially since Harvard offers a non-binding early action application.
“I think there will be more requests [next year]”Rim suggested. “If you think you have a better chance, why not give it a try?”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn